Proceeds From DVDs Go To Rapid City Charity

This June we told you about Church Response, the charitable organization that was formed in the aftermath of the 1972 Rapid City Flood. And thanks to you, our viewers, thousands of dollars are being donated to the organization.

In June of 1972, a flood destroyed much of Rapid City, killing hundreds of people and displacing many more from their homes.

A group of churches banded together to help those in need, forming Church Response. Four decades later, the organization is still helping people.

"Little disasters are happening all the time in households around here. All it takes is a car accident; an unexpected medical bill," Church Response Director Lynda Mentele said.

Church Response provides food for families in need and helps people on fixed incomes.

"Sometimes being disconnected means that you lose your place to live. So we help people pay their utility bills to stay in their housing," Mentele said.

The organization also helps people who have fallen on hard times get the tools they need to get back on their feet. People like homeless veteran Dion Stands And Looks Back.

"Today, they helped me with my birth certificate, to get it from the courthouse. They paid for my birth certificate. And right now, they're in the process of making out a check to help me get my state I.D.," Stands And Looks Back said.

Thanks to viewers who purchased a DVD compilation of news stories and special coverage from the 1972 Rapid City Flood Commemoration, KELOLAND News was able to donate more than $2,700 to Church Response.

It's money that will go to good use.

"We've signed up 31 new families already this month. There's a lot of need in this area," Mentele said.

"If it weren't for Church Response and the mission, people would probably go hungry; have no lights," Stands And Looks Back said.

To learn more about how you can help, call Church Response at (605) 342-5360.